ATLANTA - Mayor Shirley Franklin and General Manager Ben DeCosta of the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation today held a press conference to talk about the busy, but smooth 7-day period during last week's Thanksgiving travel rush, and to announce the start of phase II of the TSA Baggage Screening construction project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
"It is no secret that Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport, but let's really put that in perspective," said Mayor Franklin. "During last week's 7-day Thanksgiving travel period, an estimated 1.7 million people boarded flights out of our airport. That's more people than the individual populations of 12 states. Everyone at the airport worked together to make sure people traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson were well accommodated."
The Atlanta airport is expected to continue its on-going distinction as the world's busiest passenger airport, with an estimated 85 million passengers forecasted to travel through its gates by the end of 2004.
Even with a record-breaking year for passenger traffic at Hartsfield-Jackson, the airport has continued efficiently with several major construction projects, including TSA in-line baggage security screening construction. The first phase of that project began in July, and the second phase will begin on Dec. 2.
"The City of Atlanta's Department of Aviation along with other City departments and the airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson worked very hard to implement a plan to minimize impacts to our valued customers during Phase I construction," General Manager DeCosta said. "With excellent leadership and diligence across the board, we are ahead of schedule and within budget. We expect to successfully launch and complete Phase II as well."
The second and final phase of roadway construction occurs next to the terminal building, requiring several adjustments through May 1, 2005 when roadway construction will be complete. For more information on TSA baggage screening construction impacts, log onto www.atlanta-airport.com.